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Date Posted: 03:40:25 06/16/09 Tue
Author: Sherry Alpert
Author Host/IP: c-24-60-192-66.hsd1.ma.comcast.net / 24.60.192.66
Subject: Response from Whole Foods on Boycott

Here's the message I received from Libba Letton of Whole Foods.

From: Libba Letton (CE CEN) [mailto:Libba.Letton@wholefoods.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 12:08 PM
To: sherry@alpert-publicrelations.com
Subject: RE: Shame on you for supporting anti-Israel propaganda

Dear Sherry,

I�m not sure if any of my colleagues have responded to your email yet, so this message is a repeat, I apologize I advance. In either event, I�d like to thank you so much for taking the time to write this note, and for giving us an opportunity to share our perspective.

In recent years, a public radio station in Los Angeles, KPFK, has asked various Whole Foods Market stores to donate snacks for volunteers during fund drives. In 2007, one store provided a fruit tray, and earlier this year, another store supplied a box of cereal bars, about a $24 value. Without our permission, KPFK listed our name as a supporter of the station on its web site, and has since removed our name at our request.
We have heard from many folks in Los Angeles who object to these donations because the station carries some programming they consider offensive.
I can assure you that two donations of snacks do not mean that Whole Foods Market supports any of the positions that you suggest. Our mission is to provide the highest quality natural and organic products available, and to appeal to customers who are interested in the benefits of consuming high quality food regardless of their political persuasion, religious beliefs or their position on controversial issues.
Our donation policy allows our stores the freedom to choose the organizations they support. We do not call out any specific organizations by name as to who our stores can or cannot donate to.
Again, I appreciate your email, and hope that my response clears up some of the confusion around this issue. We hope to see you in our stores again soon.
Best regards,
Libba Letton
Media Relations
Whole Foods Market
512-542-3031

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